The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Russia-Ukraine dispute

  • Russia ‘will react’ to EU sanctions

    Russia ‘will react’ to EU sanctions

    Russia has vowed to respond if the European Union imposes new sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

    The EU said the sanctions, targeting more Russian individuals, will come in on Monday but could be suspended if Russia withdraws troops from east Ukraine and observes a current truce.

    The ceasefire, agreed in Belarus on Friday, appears to be largely holding.

    Some 2,600 people have died since a pro-Russian rebellion began in eastern Ukraine in April.

    The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: “As for the new list of sanctions from the European Union, if they are passed, there will undoubtedly be a reaction from our side.”

    The BBC reports that the fresh sanctions would add another 24 people to the list of people barred from entering the EU and whose assets have been frozen.

    There were no reports of major fighting in the east overnight.

     

  • Russia ‘to alter’ military doctrine

    Russia is to alter its military doctrine as a result of the Ukraine crisis and NATO’s presence in eastern Europe, a top Russian official says.

    Mikhail Popov, a Kremlin adviser, said that deteriorating relations with the United States and NATO would be reflected in the updated military strategy.

    NATO said on Monday it would boost its presence in eastern Europe to protect its members.

    Ukrainian troops are battling pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine, the BBC says.

    About 2,600 people have died since fighting began in April.

    Ukraine’s defence minister on Monday accused Russia of launching a “great war” that could claim tens of thousands of lives – claims dismissed by Russia, which denies actively supporting the rebels.

    Mr. Popov, deputy secretary of Russia’s National Security Council, told Russia’s RIA news agency that “the military infrastructure of NATO member states” was “getting closer to [Russian] borders, including via enlargement.”

    NATO’s actions were one of the key “external threats” to Russia, he said.

    “NATO’s planned action is evidence of the desire of US and NATO leaders to continue their policy of aggravating tensions with Russia”, Mr. Popov said.

    There were no details on how the doctrine might change.

  • EU sets to tighten Russia sanctions

    The European Union has given Russia one week to reverse course in Ukraine or face new sanctions, the BBC reports.

    European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, said the EU was working urgently on further restrictive measures.

    Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said his country was “close to a point of no return – full scale-war” with Russia.

    Russia denies Western accusations that its forces have illegally crossed into Ukraine to support separatists there.

    Pro-Russian rebels have made gains against Ukrainian troops in recent days in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

    At least 2,600 people have died in fighting.

    The conflict in the east erupted in April following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula a month before.

    Western leaders said there is clear evidence of regular Russian military units operating inside Ukraine with heavy weapons.

    Speaking after a summit in Brussels, Mr. Van Rompuy said the EU “stands ready to take further significant steps in light of the evolution of the situation on the ground.

    “Everybody is fully aware that we have to act quickly.”

    He did not specify the nature of further sanctions, but said the proposals would be ready within a week.

  • Ukraine to inspect Russian convoy

    Ukraine said its border guards are to inspect a controversial Russian aid convoy parked at the frontier.

    Ukrainian officials said the inspectors had arrived to check the cargo, bound for cities in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian rebels.

    Kiev fears the convoy may carry military supplies for the rebels, an accusation Russia has rejected, the BBC reports.

    On Thursday, two reporters said they saw Russian army vehicles heading to rebel-held territory in Ukraine.

    Ukrainian security officials said that they had spotted a column of armoured personnel carriers and military lorries crossing into the country.

    Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, in Brussels for a meeting with his European Union counterparts, called the move “a gross violation of international law.”

    Russia’s government has consistently denied directly arming or training the rebels, who sparked the conflict in April when they took control of several cities in eastern Ukraine.